Ratcheting pliers



1 1951 A. CAMPMAN ET AL 1, 33

April 25 RATCHETING PLIERS Filed Jan. 5, 1959 awn 0 mu 5 mm 2 INVENTORS. ALLEN E. CAMPMAN WALLACE S CAMPMAN.

ATTORNEY 7 2,981,133 Patented Apr. 25, 1961 RATCHETING PLIERS Allen E. Campman, 13115 Grant Ave., Paramount,

Calif, and Wallace S. Campman, 506 E. El Segundo Blvd, Compton, Calif.

Filed Jan. 5, 1959, Ser. No. 784,981

6 Claims. (Cl. 81-349) This invention relates generally to pliers and is more specifically concerned with ratcheting pliers.

The present practice, when it becomes necessary to make one or more turns of an item clamped in the jaws of a pliers, is to repeat a series of clamping, twisting and releasing actions or, in lieu of the releasing action, an action of holding the pliers clamped to the item with one hand while securing a new grip on the handle with the other hand. Both of these procedures are clumsy and time consuming; they also tend to permit slippage of the clamped item. The utilization of the ratcheting tool or pliers of this invention eliminates such undesirable procedures and ,slippagesf The pliers of this invention are constructed to include a pair of clampable jaws attached to a jaw housing and actuable from an open to a closed position by a spring loaded reciprocating pin Whose reciprocal action is controlled by a cam upon a movable handle, the movable handle being pivotally mounted upon another handle. The clampable jaws and the housing to which they are attached are mounted to rotate in one direction only about a tubular member fixed upon the last mentioned handle. Thus, an item may be clamped in the jaws, twisted with the complete pliers, the handles ratcheted back to the initial position and the twisting action'repeated without releasing the initial grip. This action may be repeated any desired number of times without fear of losing the grip first obtained.

It is therefore the principal object of this invention to provide a pair of pliers which can be used to turn an item clamped in its jaws through a series of turns without releasing either the hold on the item or the original hand grip on the handles of the pliers.

Another object of this invention is to reduce to a minimum both the static and the kinetic friction between interrelated parts of the pliers.

Still another object is to provide a ratcheting pliers of simple construction and operation.

With these and other objects in view, the invention re sides in the novel combination and arrangement of parts, the essential features of which are fully described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view cutaway illustrating a preferred embodiment of the ratchet pliers with the jaws in a closed position;

Fig. 2 is a cutaway view showing the jaws in a normally open position;

Fig. 3 is a view taken along line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view taken along line 44 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 5 is a partial cutaway view of a second embodiment of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, in Figs. 1-4 reference numeral indicates the ratchet pliers in its entirety. The pliers 10 include two main portions, the jaw portion including the jaw operating mechanism and the ratcheting portion.

The central piece of hardware of pliers 10 is an elongated tubular member 11 which has a radially extending rearward flange 12. Extending rearwardly from one side of flange 12 and preferably integral therewith is a fixed handle 13. Handle 13 may be slightly elongated and rounded to provide an easy gripping surface for the hand. Flange 12 has a flat (more clearly shown in Fig. 4) forward surface 14 and contains a plurality of spaced holes 15 extending normally from surface 14. Holes 15 are adapted for receiving detents or pins 16 and small coil springs 17 which are slightly longer than the detents. Both detents 16 and springs 17 fit freely into holes 15 and, when inserted therein, extend a distance forward of surface 14.

A disk 18 is co-axially fitted around tubular member 11,

slidable thereover and adapted to reciprocate along the axis thereof. Disk 18 has a flat rearward surface 19 adjacently facing surface 14 and contains a plurality of holes 20 extending forward normally from surface 19. Holes 20 are aligned with holes 15 and are also adapted to receive detents 16 and springs 17 in the same relationship as do holes 15. Before surface 19 of, disk 18 is placed in juxtaposition to surface 14 of flange 12, detents 16 and springs 17 are inserted into holes 15 in any desired order, but preferably alternately, as illustrated in Fig. 4. As disk 18 approaches flange 12 detents 16 and springs 17 are able to be mated into holes 20. Detents 16 thus allow reciprocating movement of disk 18 along the major axis of tubular member 11 while preventing relative rotational movement. Springs 17 normally maintain surfaces 1 4 and 19 in a spaced relationship as shown in Fig. 2. In Fig. 1 disk 18 is shown in a rearward position. Disk 13 is relatively thin in axial cross section as comparedto tubular member 11 and forward surface of said disk includes therein a set of ratchet teeth 21.

An elongated sleeve member 22, co-axial with tubular member 11 and disk 18, is disposed about tubular member 11 forwardly of disk 18 with a sliding fit. A rearward surface of sleeve 22 includes a set of ratchet teeth 23 adapted to mesh with ratchet teeth 21 when sleeve 22 and disk 18 are juxtaposed.

In the Fig. 1 embodiment an anti-friction bearing means is utilized to essentially eliminate friction and to prevent relative axial movement between sleeve 22 and tubular member 11. A preferably V-shaped annular groove 26 in an outer surface 27 of tubular member 11 and a similar annular groove 28 in an inner surface 29 of sleeve 22 are aligned to form an inner and an outer race respectively and adapted to accept a set of ball bearings 30. A passageway 31 through sleeve 22 into groove 28 permits the insertion of ball bearings 30. Passageway 31 is closed by set screw 32 following bearing insertion. Although other bearing means (e.g. roller bearings and properly shaped races) capable of allowing rotation while preventing axial movement of tubular member 11 relative to sleeve 22are usable, ball bearings are preferred.

The relationship of grooves 26 and 28 is such that their being retained in alignment by balls 30 results in the permanent spacing of ratchet teeth 23 from surface 14. This spacing is enough wider than the width of disk 18 to allow axial reciprocation of disk 18 and freedom for slippageof teeth 21 over teeth 23. Springs 17 are sufllciently'strong to retain ratchet teeth 21 in normal engagement with ratchet teeth 23 andsufficiently resilient to allow axial reciprocation of disk 18. Ratcheting action occurs between teeth 21 and 23 when sleeve 22 is rotated relative to the balance of the structure. Ratchet teeth 21 and 23 may be designed to ratchet either clockwise or counter-lockwise about the central axis.

A forward portion of sleeve 22 tapers inwardly and forms a housing 33. A portion 34 of housing 33 extends radially inward to form a cap spaced from a forward end 35 of tubular member 11. Bifurcations 37 and 37a extend forwardly from opposite sides of the portion 34.

A pair of plier jaws 38 and 38a are pivotally mounted between. the bifurcations upon a pin 39 which passes through a central portion of said jaws and is anchored in a forward portion of bifurcations 37 and 37a. The jaws extend forwardly from the bifurcations and have inner surfaces 40 and 40a contacting one another when the jaws are closed. The rearward portion of surfaces 40 and 40a, may include standard wire cutting edges 41 and 41a.

Rearward portions of jaws 38 and 38a include beveled inner surfaces 42 and 42a in juxtaposition when the jaws are open as in Fig. 2 and rearward surfaces 43 and 43a further beveled to form a V-shaped notch at a rear interface of surfaces 4 2 and 42a when the latter surfaces are together. The V-shaped notch is thus adapted to receive a tapered object therein.

A leaf spring 46 extends around the rearward end of jaws 38 and 38a normally keeping the jaws in an open position.

A reciprocating pin member 59 extends freely through the length of tubular member 11, through a passageway 51 in cap 34 and through a hole in leaf spring 46. A conically tapered or wedge shaped tip 53 of pin member 50 normally bears against V forming surfaces 43 and 43a. The surfaces of tip 53 are more divergent or of steeper angle than surfaces 43 and 43a. This results in a greater spreading force being applied to the beveled surfaces of the notch by the surfaces of the tapered portion of pin member 50. The use of a conical tip 53 results in a minimum of friction with surfaces 43 and 43a while a wedge-shaped point gives a greater surface contact and results in less surface Wear. However, the shape chosen is irrelevant to overall operability. Pin member 50 has a flat head 54 on its after end.

A spring member 61, illustrated as a coil spring, is disposed about pin member 50, and compressed between a forward surface of head 54 and rearward surface of cap 34 so as to continuously urge pin 50 in a rearward direction.

A movable handle 65 is pivotally connected to a skirt member 66 by a pin 67 and, when in a closed position, approximately parallels the position of fixed handle 13. Handle 65 is provided with an easy gripping shape and may have a U-shaped hook 72 at its rearward end 'for ease of handling. A cam 73 having a rounded tip 74 is continuously contacted by pin head 54. Consequently, handle 65 is normally in an open position due to the normal rearward urging of pin 50 by spring 61, the pin head-to-cam contact and the pivotal attachment of handle 65.

In a representative operational sequence, when a piece of heavy gauge wire, for example, is hooked around the juncture of concrete reinforcing rods, it being desired to hold the two rods together with the wire, the two ends of the wire are placed in the mouth of the normally open jaws and the plier handles are closed. Cam 73 on movable handle 65 acts as a lever, bearing against pin member 50 and moving it in a forwardly direction. The rearward portions of the jaws, as a result of pin pointto-jaw contact, are spread, causing the forward portions to close upon and firmly grip the wire ends. This grip on the wire ends is maintained while the pliers are twisted as far as possible with one clockwise twist of the wrist. The position of the jaw portion of the pliers is then maintained while the handles are ratcheted to the initial position. The complete action may be repeated any desired number of times until the wire has been sufficiently twisted. The complete procedure is accomplished without releasing the initial grip on the pliers.

Throughout the clockwise rotation explained ratchet teeth 21 and 23 are held in engagement by coil springs 17. At the same time relative rotational movement between disk 18 and tubular member 11 is prevented by detents 16. When the plier handles are re-rotated counter-clockwise and the jaws are held in their clockwise rotated position disk 18 is displaced axially rearward and teeth 21 slip over teeth 23. When clockwise rotation is resumed the teeth re-engage and the initial operation is repeated. The friction between the parts during the ratcheting action is minimized by the described embodiment. Free floating pin member 50 has an almost frictionless bearing contact at its rearward end between the rounded cam tip 74 and pin head 54. Spring 61 compressed between cap 34 and head 54 will usually cause pin member 50 to rotate with sleeve 22 preventing any relative motion between pin tip 53 and the jaws. However, in the event that there is such relative motion, the preferred conical point will result in reduced friction.

After usage the pliers may be easily dangled from the hand, a finger or some catch by means of hook 72.

Referring now to the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 5, the construction is similar to that described above. However, the bearing means are differently constructed.

Here a sleeve 75 is fitted freely around tubular member 11 which is internally threaded at its forward end. The forward portion of sleeve 75 has an enlarged or major bore 75a and a minor bore 75b. The major bore extends rearwardly to a forward facing and radially extending flat annular surface 76 rearwardly displaced from the free end of tubular member 11 by a distance equal to the diameter of a set of ball bearings 77. The diameter of the major bore is sufiiciently large to accommodate ball bearings 77 in a free rolling fit between the surface of that bore and outer surface 27 of tubular member 11. Ball bearings 77 are inserted in the race formed by surfaces 27, 76 and bore 75a.

A retainer cap 79 is threadedly engaged with the internal threads of tubular member 11 and has a rearwardly facing surface 80 against which spring 61 abuts. An annular surface 81 faces rearwardly and extends radially to a position adjacent to major bore 75a. Surface 81 is in contact with the forward end of tubular member 11 and serves to close the bearing race and prevent axial movement of integral structure.

A housing 82 extends forwardly from sleeve 75 and has a rearward portion threadedly attached to said sleeve.

Reciprocating pin member 50 extends forwardly and freely through passageways in the retainer cap 79 and housing 82 to contact the V-notch as described above.

Spring 46, as illustrated in Fig. 5 may have tips 46a inserted into slots 38b in the jaws to prevent slippage.

While two embodiments of this invention have been shown and described it is to be understood that structural variations of a minor nature to produce the same result may be made without changing the inventive principle of the invention, and it is not intended to limit this invention to the exact details of construction herein set forth since changes which come within the scope of the appended claims may be resorted to if desired.

We claim:

1. A pliers comprising: a tubular member having a first handle extending rearwardly therefrom; a sleeve coaxially surrounding said tubular member; a plurality of teeth upon one end of said sleeve; ratchet means reciprocally mounted upon said tubular member and including teeth engageable with said teeth upon said sleeve; bearing means disposed between and retaining said sleeve axially while allowing relative rotation with respect to said tubular member; a pair of normally open clampable jaws pivotally attached to a forward portion of said sleeve; a reciprocating pin member extending through said tubular member and said sleeve into sliding contact with said jaws; a second handle pivotally attached to said first handle; and means upon said second handle to reciprocate said pin and close said jaws when said second handle is pivoted toward said first handle.

2. A ratcheting tool comprising: a tubular member having a handle fixedly extending from a rearward portion thereof; a sleeve member disposed around said tubular member and rotatable relative thereto; bearing means retained between and retaining said tubular member and said sleeve member against relative axial movement; re-

ciprocating ratchet means disposed about said tubular member and engageable with said sleeve member; a pair of clampable jaws forwardly extending fromand pivotally attached to a forward portion of said sleeve member; jaw opening spring means bearing upon a rearward portion of said jaws; a jaw closing reciprocating pin member having a tapered forward portion insertable between rearward portions of said jaws, said pin extending through said sleeve and said tubular member; spring means dis posed about said pin within said tubular member and continuously urging said pin member rearwardly; and a movable handle pivotally connected to said first mentioned handle, said movable handle having a cam adapted to contact a rearward portion of said reciprocating pin causing said pin to move forwardly and close said jaws when said movable handle is pivoted toward said first mentioned handle.

3. Ratchet pliers comprising: a tubular member; a flange extending radially outward from a rearward portion of said tubular member; a handle fixed to and extending rearwardly from a rearward portion of said flange; an axially movable disk disposed about said tubular member forwardly of said flange and having ratchet teeth' in a forward surface thereof; means in said disk and said flange defining mated holes extending normally from adjacent surfaces; detents and coil springs freely insertable into said holes; a rotatable sleeve disposed about said tubular member forwardly of said disk and having ratchet teeth on a rearward surface thereof, said last mentioned teeth adapted to engage said teeth on said disk; bearing means located between and securing said tubular member and said sleeve against relative axial movement; a pair of clampable jaws pivotally attached to a forward portion of said sleeve; jaw opening spring means bearing upon said jaws; a jaw closing reciprocating pin member axially extending through said tubular member and said sleeve, said pin member having a tapered forward end insertable between rearward portions of said jaws and also having a head on a rearward end; spring means continuously urging said pin member in a rearward direction; a skirt rearwardly extending from said flange; and a movable handle pivotally attached to said skirt, said movable handle having a cam adapted to contact said head causing said pin to move forwardly and close said jaws when said movable handle is pivoted toward said first mentioned handle.

4. A pliers which comprises: a tubular member having forward and rearward ends; a flange extending radially outward from said rearward end of said tubular member; a first handle fixed to and rearwardly extending from said flange; a disk axially disposed about said tubular member forwardly of said flange; ratchet teeth in a forward surface of said disk; detents and coil springs freely insertable into mated holes contained in said disk and said flange normal to adjacent surfaces of said disk and said flange; a sleeve rotatable and axially disposed about said tubular member forwardly of said disk; ratchet teeth in a rearward surface of said sleeve and adapted to engage said teeth on said disk;ball bearings inserted 'in causing said pin to move forwardly and close said jaws when said movable handle is pivoted toward said first mentioned handle.

5. Ratchet pliers comprising: a tubular member; a handle fixedly extending from a rearward portion of said tubular member; a sleeve disposed around said tubular member and rotatable relative thereto, said sleeve having a major bore at its forward end and a minor bore rearwardly thereof; a radially extending surface joining said bores; a cap threadedly attached to a forward end of said tubular member and extending radially outward into adjacency with said major bore; ball bearings disposed within a race formed by a rearward surface of said cap, said major bore, an outer surface of said tubular member and said radially extending surface; ratchet means disposed about said tubular member and engageable with said sleeve; a jaw housing attached to and forwardly extending from a forward portion of said sleeve; a pair of normally open clampable jaws pivotally attached to said jaw housing; an axially reciprocating pin member extending through said tubular member, said sleeve, said cap and said housing, said pin member having a tapered forward portion insertable between rearward portions of said jaws; spring means contacting said pin and urging it rearwardly; a movable handle pivotally connected to said first-mentioned handle; and a cam upon said movable handle adapted to contact a rearward portion of said reciprocating pin causing said pin to move forwardly and close said jaws when said movable handle is pivoted to- Ward said first-mentioned handle.

e. A ratcheting tool comprising: a tubular member; a flange extending radially outward from said tubular member; a handle fixedly and rearwardly extending from said flange; an axially movable disk disposed about said tubular member forwardly of said flange; ratchet teeth in a forward surface of said disk; detents and coil springs freely insertable into mated holes contained in said disk and said flange normal to adjacent surfaces thereof; a rotatable sleeve disposed about said tubular member forwardly of said disk; ratchet teeth on a rearwardly facing surface of said sleeve adapted to engage the teeth on said disk, said sleeve having a major bore located forwardly of a minor bore and a radially extending surface joining said bores; an axially perforated cap threadedly attached to a forward end of said tubular member and having a portion thereof extending radially into an adjac'ently spaced relationship with said major bore; bearing means inserted in a race formed by a rearward surface a of said cap, said major bore, an outer surface of said tubular member and said radially extending surface of said sleeve; a jaw housing attachedvto and forwardly extending from a forward portion of said sleeve and having bifurcations forwardly extending therefrom; a pair of clampable jaws pivotally attached to said bifurcations; jaw opening spring means bearing upon. said jaws; a jaw closing reciprocating pin member axially extending through said tubular member, said sleeve, said cap, said housing and said spring means, said pin member having a race formed by V-shaped grooves oppositely contained w in the adjacent peripheral surfaces of said tubular mem-,

her and said sleeve; a pair of clampable jaws forwardly extending from and pivotally attached to a forward portion of said sleeve; jaw opening spring means bearing upon said jaws; a jaw closing reciprocating pin member tween rearward portions of said'jaws; spring means urging said pin member in a rearward direction; and amovable handle pivotally attached to said flange adjacent said.

1 first handle, said movable handle having a cam thereon 1 adapted tojacontact' a flat rearward surface of said head 1" a tapered forward end insertable between rearward portions of said jaws and a head on a rearward end; spring means urging said pin member in a rearward direction; and a movable handle pivotally attached to and rearwardly extending from said flange, said movable handle having a cam adaptedto contact. said head causing said pin to move forwardly and close said jaws when said giovdaible handle is pivoted toward said first-mentioned References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 852,479 Weiss May 7, 1907 1,507,974 NOrthup Sept. 9, 1924 7 2,032,415 Hirsch .r Mar. 3, 1936 2,568,641 'Krame'r et a1. Sept.18, 1951 2,654,632 7 

